SPEED READ M A R C H
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A TIME TO CELEBRATE WOMEN With International Women’s Day approaching on 8 March, and all Motorsport Australia awards ceremonies just passed, it's never been a better time to celebrate women in our sport.
NATIONAL AND STATE AWARDS
MARCH UPCOMING STATE EVENTS
FORMULA ONE READY TO ROLL
Honoring our champions and key performers from every ceremony from this season's Motorsport Australia Awards.
Check out upcoming club and state events in March, 2020.
The 71st Formula 1 season gets underway this month with the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix
M O T O R S P O R T . O R G . A U
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CONTENTS 4
What's on in March
6
Formula One ready to roll
10
A time to celebrate women
12
Australia’s first female deputy
15
A year to celebrate
31
Paul over the moon with top gong
32
Tough hill to climb in rainy Gippsland
33
Changes to alcohol and illicit drug policies
34
Motorsport Australia estore now open
36
Fun day out on the coast
38
FHR flows into 2020
40
Canberra cool for ARC
42
First round beckons for new era of Shannons
44
McLaughlin picks up where he left off
46
Future stars to rally in 2020
47
Brabham screening gets extra special
48
A buggy treat for Durham Road kids
6 12 14 30 40
COVER PHOTO NSW/ACT Awards: Australian Rally icon Coral Taylor presenting the award of her namesake to Adriana Pallister, for Outstanding Achievement by a Female. Photo: Dave Oliver
275 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PO Box 172, Canterbury LPO Vic 3126 Member Hotline 1800 883 959 (9am - 7pm AEST) Telephone 1300 883 959 or +61 3 9593 7777 Office hours 8.45am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday Website motorsport.org.au E-mail info@motorsport.org.au
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WHAT'S ON IN MARCH NEW SOUTH WALES AND ACT
6-8 March: MRF Tyres Australian Production Cars Series 7-8 March: Motorsport Australia NSW Hillclimb Championship 8 March: Motorsport Australia NSW Motorkhana Championship 15 March: Motorsport Australia NSW Khanacross Series 15 March: MGCCN Multiclub Khanacross 21-22 March: Netiier National Capital Rally 21-22 March: HSRCA 2020 Wakefield Park Autumn Historic Festival 22 March: Mt Gladstone Hillclimb 26-28 March: Forays in the Snowys 27-29 March: Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships R1 28-29 March: Awaba Rallysprint 29 March: Motorsport Australia NSW Motorkhana Championship
Photo: Dave Oliver Photography
NSW: The MRF Tyres Australian Production Cars Series opens its season with a bang at Sydney Motorsport Park this month with a number of national cateogies supporting the event.
QUEENSLAND
27-29 March: Motorsport Australia Queensland Circuit Racing Championship R1 20-22 March: J & A Quality Concrete Sprint Series 27-29 March: Qld Circuit Racing State Championship 28 March: KCF Short Course Rally 28-29 March: HBMSA Khanacross 29 March: IWMAC Open Sprint Series 29 March: TAG Mount Stuart Hillclimb Series
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY 8 March: South Australian Motorkhana Championship 8 March: [NT] CARS Khanacross 22 March: SCCSA Winter Cup 22 March: MSCA Supersprint 28 March: Sporting Car Club SA Motorsport Australia Circuit Championship 28 March: SEAC Rallycross 29 March: Barossa RallySprint 29 March: [NT] Ross Hanning Memorial
TASMANIA
14 March: NWCC Rallysprint 15 March: CMI Baskerville Super Sprint 21 March: Baskerville 1000 22 March: HSCC Time Attack
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Photo: Optical Note Productions
TAS: The Hobart Sporting Car Club's Baskerville 1000 is expecting around 200 entries to take part in their first regularity event for the year as teams look to complete around 200 laps on the circuit.
VICTORIA
7 March: SHSCC Come & Try Day/Shepparton Cup Challenge R1 12-15 March: Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 15 March: MSCA Super Sprint & Regularity 22 March: 2020 WRX Club Championship R2 28 March: Eddington Sprints 28-29 March: Motorsport Australia Victorian Hill Climb Championship R3 29 March: Sandown Autumn Sprint 2020
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 12 March: Shannons Rallysprint R5 19 March: Infinite Time Attack 22 March: Motorkhana State Championship 28 March: Bakers Hill Sprint 28 March: Barbagallo Race Day 28-29 March: SSES Collie Sprint and Hillclimb 29 March: PCWA and HSVOCWA Point to Point
Photo: Bob Taylor
SA: From Hyundai Excels to Improved Production Cars and Formula Fords, the Motorsport Australia SA Circuit Championship is back with Mallala having hosting duties for the season opener.
Photo: Tim Nicol Photography
NT: While the event has multiple categories competing at Hidden Valley, the Ross Hanning Memorial holds a unique trait of the driver who ends with the most points from all races being rewarded with the Ross Hanning Trophy.
Photo: CH Images
QLD: Hosted by the Hervey Bay Motorsport Association, Round 2 of the club's Khanacross series visits the Maryborough Speedway in what is set to be a fun and well fielded event.
Photo: BAGR Photography
WA: The Shannons Rallysprint Series is well underway with the fifth round to be completed in March. There has been a lot of action and a fair share of drama take place in the tarmac rallysprint category so far.
Photo: Impreza WRX Club
VIC: The WRX Club Championship will be held at Sandown Raceway on 22 of March and will be incorporating a Come and Try component for drivers to test their skills on the iconic track. MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 5
FORMULA ONE READY TO ROLL
Photo: Renault Sport
The 71st Formula 1 season gets underway this month with the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix once again having the honours of launching the new season on 12-15 March at Albert Park. Ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Australia’s biggest race in Melbourne, Speed Read looks at some of the key facts for the big race.
6 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
LAST TIME THEY MET There was much anticipation behind the 2019 Formula 1 season – especially after Netflix’s highly praised Drive to Survive documentary was released in the weeks prior, before a special event at Federation Square officially launched the season on the eve of the event. A new team for Motorsport Australia ambassador Daniel Ricciardo, the return of fan favourite Robert Kubica and Alfa Romeo back on the roll call were just some of the small stories part of a bigger narrative. As for the racing, Ricciardo’s first race in Renault colours ended in disaster after his front wing was ripped off before the first turn on the first lap, the team eventually pulling him from the race after just 28 laps. At the other end of the field, Mercedes begun their dominant season with Valtteri Bottas leading teammate Lewis Hamilton to the win, while Ricciardo’s former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen rounded out the podium.
2019 TOP 10 1. Valtteri Bottas 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Max Verstappen 4. Sebastian Vettel 5. Charles Leclerc 6. Kevin Magnussen 7. Nico Hulkenberg 8. Kimi Räikkönen 9. Lance Stroll 10. Daniil Kvyat
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 7
Esteban Ocon Photo: Renault Sport
THE TEAMS
THE LINE-UP
Despite there being a quieter off-season as opposed to last year, fans will still have to take note of some notable changes.
Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen #7 Kimi Räikkönen #99 Antonio Giovinazzi
Only two teams enter the season with a different formation, former Racing Point driver Esteban Ocon joins Daniel Ricciardo at Renault as Nico Hulkenberg's replacement and Williams have switched Robert Kubica with Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi. While Torro Rosso’s two drivers will be the same in 2020, they won’t look the same as the team formally changed to a new name, AlphaTauri.
AlphaTauri Honda #10 Pierre Gasly #26 Daniil Kvyat Ferrari Mission Winnow #5 Sebastian Vettel #16 Charles Leclerc Haas F1 Team #8 Romain Grosjean #20 Kevin Magnussen McLaren F1 Team #4 Lando Norris #55 Carlos Sainz Jr. Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team #44 Lewis Hamilton #77 Valtteri Bottas BWT Racing Point F1 Team #11 Sergio Pérez #18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin Red Bull Racing #23 Alexander Albon #33 Max Verstappen Renault F1 Team #3 Daniel Ricciardo #31 Esteban Ocon ROKiT Williams Racing #6 Nicholas Latifi #63 George Russell
8 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Photo: Formula 1 Media
F1 SCHEDULE Friday 13 March 12:00-13:30 Practice One 16:00-17:30 Practice Two Saturday 14 March 14:00-15:00 Practice Three 17:00-18:00 Qualifying Sunday 15 March 14:30-15:00 Drivers Parade 16:10-18:10 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Race
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
OFFICIALS CORNER
1,000
Officials to take part in the four-day event
Photo: Dan Thompson
14
Age of the youngest official
84
Age of the oldest official
17
Countries will be represented
Photo: Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia
51
Officials from Vietnam
SUPPORT CATEGORIES carsales TCR Asia Pacific Cup S5000 Australia Virgin Australia Supercars Championship
Click here to purchase tickets to Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 9
A TIME TO CELEBRATE WOMEN “While motorsport sits in a strong position in Australia, there’s still plenty of future work to do... especially attracting more women into careers within the motorsport industry” - Thea Jeanes-Cochrane, Motorsport Australia Board Member
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Photo: Revved Photography
It's been a big summer for women in Australian motorsport with the appointments of Kristen Bailey to the Motorsport Australia board and Jessica Nicholson as the Deputy Race Director for the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup. Bailey's appointment saw her become the third female member on the board, joining Thea Jeanes-Cochrane and Margot Foster AM OLY - the latter also being promoted to Vice President recently. These four individuals represent the growing number of females taking part in the sport both on and off the track and with International Women’s Day in March, Motorsport Australia wants to hear about the women who contribute to our sport. Whether it's as a competitor, an official or even an administrator – Motorsport Australia welcomes all stories about the positive impact of females in motorsport as part of International Women's Day 2020. Simply email your story to communications@motorsport.org.au with any photos and you could be published on motorsport.org.au on International Women’s Day.
Leanne Tander, carsales TCR Australia Photo: Daniel Kalisz Photographer
Jodie Allen, BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship Photo: Terry Hill Photography
Sue Esselmont, Australian Prototype Series Photo: Street to Screen Media
Larisa Biggar, Motorsport Australia Rally Championship Photo: Wishart Media
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 11
“It’s a magical feeling to be honest. It’s something I have been working towards since I started my career.”
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST FEMALE DEPUTY There was much to look forward to for the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship’s season opener at the Superloop Adelaide 500, but for one particular individual it was a significant milestone for the sport. After more than a decade of being a Clerk of Course in New South Wales, Jessica Nicholson was appointed as the Deputy Race Director for the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup – the first woman to do so for an Australian category. The selection was a well-deserved one too, with Nicholson highly regarded amongst the New South Wales community due to her work at Sydney Motorsport Park and Wakefield
Park, including the World Time Attack Challenge and the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships. Though already highly accomplished and experienced in her field, a thrilled Nicholson was still surprised to be given the opportunity for the position. She will work under the guidance of, another highly respected Motorsport Australia Race Director, David Mori. “It’s a little bit of a surprise to be appointed but fantastic to be accepted. It’s a magical feeling to be honest because it’s something I have been working towards since I started my career as a Clerk of Course,” Nicholson said.
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“Over the years, I have been working on building my skill set through exposure at a variety of different events with the goal of getting my knowledge up to a level that is accepted for this kind of role. “The plan is to stay in this role for a while and eventually move into more of a Race Director role, although it will depend on how I go in this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup. “I’ll be assessed at the end of the year on whether I am capable of doing a Race Director role, or whether I will require more training.” While the appointment is the beginning of something special
for Nicholson, her first event in the role in Adelaide was drama free as she focused on soaking up as much information as she could. “The first weekend was definitely an eye opener,” Nicholson added. “It’s different to clerking because it’s a different way to think about things, but it’s been fantastic and Porsche has been lovely and opened up their arms. “David Mori has been a fantastic mentor as well. He has been lovely and supportive all weekend and very inclusive.” As for the pressure of being one of the first women to hold a senior position
like this, Nicholson is relishing the chance to pave the way for more women to follow her pathway. “It’s definitely special to be considered for this role as a woman, especially now that the industry is pushing for women involvement,” Nicholson said. “To have a role like this open up to a woman is fantastic because it proves that we can do it. I race myself so I understand on and off track, which is important.
“My advice to other females looking to make their mark in the sport would be to dream big and don’t think you can’t make it. It’s taken me a long time to get here, but you have to be ready. There are paths for women, and it’s not a closed shop like some may think.” Nicholson’s next round is an equally high-profile event, with Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup running as part of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix weekend on 12-15 March.
“There is some pressure on me to succeed in this role as I am representing women, although that pressure on me has always been there so I am used to it. MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 13
A YEAR TO CELEBRATE
We look over all the winners and grinners from what has been another successful awards season The Motorsport Australia awards season has wrapped up for another year as seven events across six states honoured the racing champions and individual winners of 2019. Western Australia was the first state to hold an awards night, before a busy weekend in mid-February saw five states hold their own events. For the second year in a row, the Northern Territory was the final state to celebrate their finest in what was a memorable evening. The 2019 awards season then wrapped up with the National Gala dinner in Victoria, which highlighted another successful year in Australian motorsport. From junior officials to experienced veterans and administrators, to clubs being acknowledged for significant milestones – the evenings were a testament to the dedicated volunteers in every state for their contributions to motorsport. Hundreds of competitors were also acknowledged for their stellar seasons behind the wheel, including dual Australian Touring Car Champion Scott McLaughlin, first time Motorsport Australia Rally Champion Harry Bates and eight time BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Champion Mark Burrows. In this edition of Speed Read, we look over all the winners and grinners from what has been another fantastic season.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 15
MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA NATIONAL AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards
International Awards
Bill Bennett Neil Crompton John Harnden AM Andrew Fraser
2019 FIA Pacific Rally Cup for Co-Drivers Winner
Service Award (Media)
Cody Nikola Latkovski
Life Membership
Leigh Diffey Colin Young Scott Young Bruce Williams Jeff Whitten Peter Whitten Geoffrey Harris Bruce Newton
Australian Motorsport Official of the Year Paul Overell
Young Driver of the Year Edan Thornburrow
Phil Irving Award Peter Molloy
Peter Brock Medal Harry Bates
Media Awards
Motorsport Journalist of the Year Andrew van Leeuwen
Motorsport Story of the Year (Print/Online) John Morris
Motorsport Story of the Year (Radio/Television) Vanessa Milton
Motorsport Photograph of the Year Darin Mandy
Motorsport Photographer of the Year Dirk Klynsmith
2019 FIA Best Marshal of the Season Robert Thiry
John McCarthy
FIA Motorsport Games GT Digital Cup 19 Gold Medal Winner for Australia
FIA Motorsport Games 2019 – GT Cup Stephen Grove/Brenton Grove
Bronze Medal Winners for Australia
FIA Motorsport Games 2019 – Formula 4 Cup Luis Leeds
4th Place for Australia
Motorsport Australia Champions
Motorsport Australia SXS Champion Jackson Evans
Motorsport Australia GT Champion Geoff Emery
Motorsport Australia GT Endurance Championship
Geoff Emery and Garth Tander
Motorsport Australia Formula 4 Champion Luis Leeds
Motorsport Australia Touring Car / Virgin Australia Supercars Champion Scott McLaughlin
Motorsport Australia Motorkhana Champion Aaron Wuillemin
Motorsport Australia Khanacross Champion Christopher Hranger
Motorsport Australia Supersprint Champion Douglas Barry
Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Champion Malcolm Oastler
16 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
LEFT: Motorsport Australia President Andrew Papadopolous presenting Life Membership to John Harnden AM LEFT BELOW: 2019 Motorsport Photograph of the Year, taken by Darin Mandy BELOW: Vanessa Milton thanking the audience for the Motorsport Story of the Year Award (Radio/ Television) Photos: Flash Studio
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 17
Motorsport Australia National Series Winners Dunlop Super2 Series Winner Bryce Fullwood
Prolite Buggy Class Winners Craig Pankhurst (Driver) Penny Pankhurst (Co-Driver)
Sportlite
Steven Graham (Driver) Daryl Graham (Co-Driver)
Production 4WD Class Winners Geoff Pickering (Driver) Dylan Watson (Co-Driver)
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Series Winner
SXS Turbo Class Winners
Jordan Love
Roydn Bailey (Driver) Luke Shadbolt (Co-Driver)
carsales TCR Australia Series Winner
Extreme 2WD Class Winners
Will Brown
Motorsport Australia Off Road Champions Outright
Mark Burrows (Driver) Matthew Burrows (Co-Driver)
Pro Buggy Class Winners Mark Burrows (Driver) Matthew Burrows (Co-Driver)
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Jamie Knight (Driver) Symon Knight (Co-Driver)
SXS Sport Class Winners John Wisse (Driver) Adrian Weeding (Co-Driver)
Extreme 4WD Class Winners Joshua Nurrish (Driver) Luke Kenyon (Co-Driver)
Super 1650 Buggy Class Winner Declan Cummins (Driver) Karin Ann Barker (Co-Driver) Liam Peters (Co-Driver)
TOP PAGE 14: The night's host, Greg Rust welcoming motorsport fans to the National Awards ceremony ABOVE LEFT: Motorsport Australia GT Endurance Champions, Geoff Emery and Garth Tander LEFT: Kate Catford, Champion Co-Driver of Motorsport Australia Targa Championship Modern, addressing the awards attendees. BELOW: Newly elected Board Member Kristen Bailey presenting the SXS Championship trophy to Jackson Evans BOTTOM PAGE 14: A star-studded panel, discussing the 2019 season which included (L-R) Harry Bates, Brenton Grove, Will Brown, Jessica Dane and Scott McLaughlin Photos: Flash Studio
Motorsport Australia Targa Champions Motorsport Australia Targa Champion Modern
Karting Australia Awards KA2 Winner Luke Pink
Paul Stokell (Driver) Kate Catford (Co-Driver)
KZ2 Winner
Motorsport Australia Targa Champion Classic
Ladies Championship Trophy
Mick Downey (Driver) Jarrod van den Akker (Co-Driver)
Troy Loeskow
Beck Connell
Motorsport Australia Rally Champions Outright
Harry Bates (Driver) John McCarthy (Co-Driver)
2WD Rally Winners
Ethan Pickstock (Driver) Lisi Phillips (Co-Driver)
Australian Rally Manufacturers' Champion Toyota
Motorsport Australia Tourist Trophy Bathurst 12 Hour
Earl Bamber Motorsport (Porsche 911 GT3 R) Matt Campbell (Australia), Dirk Werner (Germany), Dennis Olsen (Norway)
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 19
NSW/ACT AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards Colin Bond Award Luke King Coral Taylor Award Adriana Pallister Kevin Bartlett Award Steven Lacey
ABOVE LEFT: Ecstatic Motorsport Australia NSW/ACT award winners
Event of the Year Whiteline Tarmac Rallysprint Series, North Shore Sporting Car Club
ABOVE: Motorkhana Champion Phillip East and third place getter Corinne East-Johnson
Burson Future Star Award Taylor Gill
LEFT: Awards host Emma Notarfrancesco, with NSW rally icon Coral Taylor
Junior Official of the Year Anna Pallister Judith Rae Award Brett Middleton State Official of the Year Brett Middleton Service Award Philip East Howard Grove Dianne Mawer Peter Harris
Club Affiliation Recognition Established 50 Years Austin Healey Owners Club (NSW) Inc Formula Ford Association Inc Volvo Car Club of NSW Incorporated Christian Autosports Club of Australia Inc 1st Year Bathurst Feral Utes Cars And Trucks Inc Festival Of Speed On Tweed Incorporated Highlands Car Enthusiasts Club Inc Porsche Club Canberra Inc
Photos: Dave Oliver
Time Attack Cars Champion Nik Kalis Clubmans, Racing and Sports Racing Cars Champion Douglas Barry Champion Club Australian Racing Drivers Club
NSW Rally Championship Overall Richard Shimmon (Driver) Jim Gleeson (Co-Driver)
NSW Hill Climb Champion Malcolm Oastler
Sportlite Champion Driver Anthony Abson
NSW Supersprint Championship
Super1650 Champion Driver Warren Barron
Sports Sedans and Group 2B Prodsports Champion Matthew Cole
Supersports Champion Stephen Champion Formula Race Cars Champion Aaron McClintock
Improved Production Over 2 Litre Champion Michael King
Pro-Lite Champion Driver Brendan Turner
Group 2F Production Sports Cars Champion Ian Dunwoodie
Supersports Class 2 Champion Darren Barlow
NSW Off Road Championship
NSW Motorkhana Champion Phillip East
Improved Production Cars Champion Scott McKune
Supersports Class 1 Champion Stephen Champion
Formula Race Cars Class Champion Aaron McClintock
NSW Auto Test Championships
Road Registered Vehicles with Limited Modifications Champion Andrie Tan
Formula Vee 1600 Champion Aaron Lee
2WD Champion Tony Sullens (Driver) Kaylie Newell (Co-Driver)
Champion Driver Anthony Abson
Unmodified Road Registered Vehicles Champion Tony Lam
NSW Motor Race Championship
Pro Buggy Driver Michael Latimore
Sportsman Champion Driver Gregory Barron Extreme 2WD Champion Driver Luke Kenyon SXS Turbo Champion Driver Nathan Chivers SXS Sports Champion Kevin Cant Extreme 4WD Champion Joshua Nurrish Production 4WD Greg Marsh Production 4WD Oliver Coakes
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HQ Holden Racing Champion Brett Osborn
Improved Production Under 2 Litre Harrison Cooper Superkart Group 1 Champion - 250 Tony Moit Superkart Group 2 Champion - 125 Aaron Cogger Superkart Group 3 Champion - Non-Gearbox Stuart Robertson Formula Ford Champion Lachlan Ward Formula Ford 1600 Champion Mitch Gatenby Production Sports Champion Brad Schumacher Production Touring Champion Geoff Kite Sports Sedan Champion Steven Lacey
NT AWARDS In conjunction with Motor Sports NT
Motorsport Australia Awards Service Awards Shane Davidson Vicki Rice Adriaan Gerritson Burson Future Star Award Bryce Fullwood Motorsport Event of the Year Chariots of Thunder Motorsport Person of the Year Jacalin Ekins
Top End Drift Association Scott Grosskopf
Karting Steve Howell
Top End Dirt Karts Steve Driver
Quad Bike Deegan Sherwood
Top End Motocross Club Kylie Verity
Motocross Jayden O’Connor
Top End Mud Racing Association Volunteer of the Year Alex ‘Bambi’ Ormsby
Off Road Alex Heinzel
Top End Road Racing Association Alan Tilbrook Territory Quad Association Darren Lavercombe
Junior Official of the Year Jorja Thompson
Alice Springs Motor Cycle Club Kerry Armstead
Official of the Year Gavin Thompson
Administrator of the Year
Club Administrator of the Year Jacalin Ekins
North Australian Motor Sports Club David Ling
Mud Racing Ted Roderick Drag Steven Ariston Circuit David Ling Drift Mitchell Doyle Enduro Shane Saunders Burnout Chaise Bouchere
Top End Drift Association Chloe Baehnisch Improved Production Racing Jake Burgess Top End Motocross Club Tania Rice Darwin Motorcycle Club Jeff Klein Territory Quad Association Angie Lavercombe
Volunteers of the Year Acacia Hills Motocross Association Natasha Langkowski Arunga Park Speedway Association Darren Greening Alice Springs Karting Club Kevin Rawlins Alice Springs Off Road Race Club Nina Kells Central Australian Drag Racing Association Stephen Greenfield Central Australian Rally Sports Club Ben Kittle Darwin Karting Association Tracey Driscoll
Arunga Park Speedway Association Nicky Jettner Darwin Speedway Riders & Drivers Association Jacalin Ekins Burnout Association of Darwin Rebecca Harris
Drivers and Riders of the Year Speedway Scott Leonhardt Rally Jamie Lawson Road Bike Peter Troon Motorkhana/Khanacross Jamie Smith
Darwin Motor Cycle Club Jeff Klein Darwin Speedway Riders & Drivers Association Hannah Bristow Hidden Valley Drag Racing Association John Brown Katherine Motor Sports Club Kade ‘Bluey’ Robertson North Australian Motor Sports Club Ross Salmon Nhulunbuy Speedway Harry Walker
22 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
ABOVE LEFT: Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca presenting Vicki Rice with her 2019 Service Award TOP: Rally Driver of the Year, Jamie Lawson ABOVE: A mix of all the Territory's racing diciplines met to celebrate 2019 LEFT: NT's Administrators of the Year Photos: Tim Nicol
QUEENSLAND AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards
Queensland Auto Test Championships
Queensland Motorsport Official of the Year Rodney McDonald
Hill Climb Champion Dean Amos
Queensland Event of the Year CQ Crane Hire Gold Rush Hill Sprint, Annette Benson
Motorkhana Champion Stewart Bell
Club Challenge Australia Simon Harrex Piers Harrex Alan Moore Service Award Peter Flynn Carmel Wilcox Ann Thomson Trophy David Wood Will Power Trophy Harri Jones
Club Affiliation Recognition Established 20 Years North Queensland Offroad Racing Association Inc Queensland Scrutineering Association Inc Established 10 Years BMW Club Queensland Incorporated Volkswagen Driver's Club of Queensland Incorporated
Queensland Off Road Championship Overall Christian Rich (Driver) Nathan Mortimer (Co-Driver)
Queensland Motor Race Championship Formula Ford Champion Tim Hamilton Formula Vee Champion Alexander Hedemann Historic Touring Car Champion Matthew Clift HQ Holden Champion Brandon Madden Hyundai Series X3 Champion Cameron Wilson Improved Production Car over 2000cc Champion Zak Hudson Improved Production Car under 2000cc Champion Matthew Dwyer
Production Sports Car (Prodsports) Champion Wayne Hennig Racing and Sports Car Champion Christopher Farrell Saloon Car Champion Brock Mitchell Series Production Car Champion Beric Lynton Sports Sedan Champion Shane Hart Superkart Champion Timothy Weier Trans Am Champion Shane Wilson Trans Am (Up to 5 Litre class) Champion Simon Trapp SCMSA Short Circuit Speed Events Series Junior Champion Scott Ward SCMSA Short Circuit Speed Events Series Champion Paolo Buccini
Queensland Rally Championship Overall Brayden Wilson (Driver) Alan Stean (Co-Driver) 2WD Champion Craig Aggio (Driver) Megan Benson (Co-Driver) Junior Champion Blake Wilson (Co-Driver)
RIGHT: Nathan Mortimer and Christian Rich, 2020's Queensland Off Road Champions BELOW RIGHT: A full house for the Queensland evening of champions BELOW: Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca presenting Queensland Service Award to Carmel Wilcox Photos: Shifting Focus
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 23
SA AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards Service Star Knut Gassmanis Michael Clements Jeremy Browne Service Award David Castrechini Bruce Morriset Andrew Admiraal Tim Edmonds Daryl Warman Adrian Flynn Clare Williamson Pam Tunn Cynthia Frost Rae Frost Robert Frost Speed Official of the Year David Langfield Off Road Official of the Year Jo-Anne Severin Circuit Official of the Year Jack Holding Rally Official of the Year Greta Nason Auto Test Official of the Year Daniel Claridge State Official of the Year Jack Holding Junior Official of the Year Charlotte Smith Burson Future Star Molly Spalding SA Peter Wright Memorial Nicholas Paul SA Racing Driver of the Year Asher Johnston
Hill Climb Road Registered 2WD 1601 - 2000cc Champion Harrison Bishop Hill Climb Road Registered 2WD 2001 - 4000cc Champion Damien Hirst Hill Climb Road Registered 2WD 4001cc and Over Champion Mark Rice Hill Climb Road Registered 4WD 2001 - 4000cc Champion Paul Healey Hill Climb Road Registered Clubman 2001 - 4000cc Champion Peter Fritz Hill Climb 2A Sports Cars Open/ Closed 2001 - 4000cc Champion Andrew Keen Hill Climb 2A Sports Cars Open/ Closed 4001cc & Over Champion Trevor Pyatt Hill Climb Circuit Excel Champion Scott Stephenson Hill Climb 3C Rally Cars 4WD Champion Gavin Farley Khanacross Outright and Class CM Champion Zayne Admiraal Khanacross Junior O16 Champion Lachlan Tillett Khanacross Class DM Champion Adam Tillett
McLeod Medals Anja Straus (Co-Driver)
Khanacross Class D Champion Wayne Mason
Rallysprint Series Champion Bradley Clements (Driver) Zayne Admiraal (Co-Driver)
Khanacross Class BM Champion Graeme Pound
Khanacross Junior U16 Champion Jaxon Rippon
Motorkhana Class C Champion Graham Vanderhoek Motorkhana Class D Champion Kym Miller Motorkhana Class F Champion Dave Beames Motorkhana Junior Champion Eddie Wallis Hill Climb Outright and Formula Libre 751 - 1300cc Champion David Mahon Hill Climb Road Registered 2WD Under 1600cc Champion David Hall
P6 Champion Steve Fisher (Driver) Jeremy Browne (Co-Driver)
Khanacross Class S Champion Paul Kennedy
SA Auto Test Championships
Motorkhana Class B Champion Wayne Casey
Photos: Bob Gloyn
2WD and P4 Champion Damian Reed (Driver) Dale Neighbour (Co-Driver)
Khanacross Class A Champion Simon Fuller
Motorkhana Class A Champion Craig Williams
ABOVE: SA's Off Road Official of the Year, Jo-Anne Severin
Khanacross Class FM Champion Bradley Clements
State Event of the Year Legend of the Lakes
Motorkhana Outright Champion Tony Wallis Craig Williams
TOP: Burson Future Star Award winner, Molly Spalding
Khanacross Class F Champion Shayne Burn Khanacross Class E Champion James Crinson Khanacross Class B Champion Shaiden Jacobs
SA Rally Championship Rally Outright and P5 Champion Zayne Admiraal (Driver) Matthew Heywood (Co-Driver) Classic Champion Michael Nixon (Driver) David Langfield (Co-Driver) CRC Champion Mark Povey (Driver) Liam Bache (Co-Driver) P1 Champion Glenn Campbell (Driver) Darran Ambrose (Co-Driver) P2 Champion Daniel Blakemore (Driver)
24 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
SA Motor Race Championship Formula Vee Outright and 1600 Champion Adam Newton Formula Vee 1200 Champion Matthew Bialek Outright Improved Production and up to 2000cc Champion Adam Trimmer Circuit Excel Champion Asher Johnston Sports Cars Champion Paul Mitolo Holden HQ Darren Jenkins Peter Wright Memorial Trophy Nicholas Paul
Superkart 125cc NGB Rotax Light class Champion Jim Gorman 125cc NGB Rotax Heavy class Champion Brandon Stillwell 125cc Stock Honda class Champion Jim Gorman 250cc International class Champion Chas Maddern
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TASMANIAN AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards Ling Rookie Perpetual Trophy Callum Bishop Jeff Ransley Perpetual Trophy Stephen Noble Paddy and Enid Baker Perpetual Trophy Christine Potter Police Commissioner Perpetual Trophy Michelle Fish Peter Bondy Trophy Craig Twining Ron and Ivy McDonald Circuit Racing Trophy Joshua Webster State Event of the Year Baskerville 1000 Burson Future Star Award Callum Bishop Person of the Year - Rally Ben Newman Person of the Year - Off Road Joshua Marshall Person of the Year - Circuit Otis Cordwell
Tasmanian Auto Test Championships Motorkhana Championship Outright Champion Nick Yaxley
Classic Car Kade Barrett (Driver) David Guest (Co-Driver)
Tasmanian Off Road State Series Outright Champion Michael Stalker Pro Buggy Champion Wayne Campbell Prolite Buggy Champion Chris Branch Super 1650 Champion Kateland Marshall UTV Champion Michael Stalker Sports Lite Champion Andrew Giffard Outright Navigator Sharon Sulzberger
Tasmanian Circuit Racing Championship Formula Vee 1200 Champion Callum Bishop Sports GTA Champion Stephen Noble Sports GTB Champion Honni Pitt
Motorkhana Championship Female Adine Whitcombe
Sports GTC Champion Troy Wood
Motorkhana Championship Junior Nathan Russell
HQ Holdens Champion Otis Cordwell
Hill climb Championship Outright Champion Stephen Mott
Sports Sedans Champion Brett O'Shea
Tasmanian Rally Championship Outright Tim Auty (Driver) Jon Mitchell (Co-Driver) 2WD Mark Kyle (Driver) Daniel Davies (Co-Driver) Class P2 Aidan Peterson (Driver) Mitch Newton (Co-Driver)
Improved Production Champion Matthew Grace Historic Touring Cars Champion Scott Cordwell Hyundai Excel Champion Joshua Webster Historic Regularity Champion Brett Mansfield Super 1650 Champion Kateland Marshall
Class P3 Mark Kyle (Driver) Daniel Davies (Co-Driver)
TOP: Motorsport Australia Board Member Terry Atkinson presenting the Peter Bondy Trophy to Craig Twining
Class P4 Ben Sheldrick (Driver) Reubecca Sheldrick (Co-Driver)
ABOVE MIDDLE: A huge haul for youngster Callum Bishop (right) supported proudly by his younger brother
Class P5 Troy Johnson (Driver) Aaron Saunders (Co-Driver)
ABOVE: Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein and Eugene Arocca
Class P6 Tim Auty (Driver) Jon Mitchell (Co-Driver)
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
LEFT: Off Road Super 1650 Champion Kateland Marshall and Outright Navigator Sharon Sulzberger Photos: Phillip Biggs
TOP LEFT: SA's Event of the Year, Mt Gambier's Legend of the Lakes Photo: Bob Gloyn TOP MIDDLE: Tasmanian 2020 Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee, Ian Beechey Photo: Phillip Biggs ABOVE: Crowning a champion - NSW Formula Ford 1600 Champion Mitch Gatenby and grandfather Photo: Dave Oliver LEFT: Kelly Thomas, WA's Rally Rookie Driver of the Year Photo: BeardySnaps
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VICTORIAN AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards
Victorian Rally Championship
Service Award Paul Lummis Roger Sinclair David Adams Robert Graham Nicholas Charrett Ian McLennan Noel Robson
Overall Arron Windus (Driver) Daniel Brkic (Co-Driver) 2WD Justin Walker (Driver) Adam Wright (Co-Driver)
State Official Of The Year Matt Balcombe Burson Future Star Award Nicholas Schembri
ABOVE: Held on the South Wharf Promenade in Melbourne, the Victorian awards was a lively and well-attended evening
State Event Of The Year Ada River Rally
LEFT: Motorsport Australia Vice President Margot Foster congratulating the Victorian champions and service awards winners
Junior State Official Of The Year Lachlan Griffiths
BELOW: Service Award recipient Nicholas Charrett surrounded by an entourage of support
Club Challenge First place Swinburne University Car Club
BELOW MIDDLE: Burson Future Star of 2019, Nicholas Schembri BELOW LEFT: Recognising a magnificant milestone, 50 years as a Victorian Motorsport Australia club - Alfa Romeo Owners' Club Of Australia
Club Affiliation Recognition Established 50 Years Alfa Romeo Owners' Club Of Australia (Vic) Established 20 Years 944 Racing Association Established 10 Years Classic Cars United
Victorian Auto Test Championships Hill climb Championship Garry Martin Victorian SuperSprint Championship Sally Anne-Hains and Gregory Lynch Victorian Motorkhana Championship Michael Exell
Photos: Look at Media
Victorian Motor Race Championships Formula Vee Championship Jake Rowe
Sports Sedans Championship Dean Camm Formula Ford 1600 Championship Brendan Jones Improved Production Championship Luke Grech-Cumbo
Victorian Khanacross Championship Ross Batson
Victorian Off Road Championship Overall Eric Schlifener (Driver) Warren Collins (Co-Driver)
Sports Car Championship Joseph Ensabella HQ Holden Championship Andrew McLeod MGs and Invited British Sports Car Series Philip Chester Historic Touring Car Championship Darryl Hansen Porsche 944 Championship Cameron Beller Formula Ford Championship Benjamin D'Alia Saloon Cars Championship Travis Lindorff Circuit Excel Championship Benjamin Grice
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
WA AWARDS Motorsport Australia Awards State Event of the Year Make Smoking History Targa West Burson Future Star Cameron Atkins Junior Official of the Year Sean Beck Official of the Year David Smith
Club Affiliation Recognition Established 10 Years Fiat Lancia Club of Western Australia Established 5 Years Classic English Ford Club (WA) Inc
WA Auto Test Championships Motorkhana Outright Champion Scott Bennett Motorkhana Lady Driver Champion Lisa Armstrong Motorkhana Junior Driver Champion Ethan Andersson Motorkhana Novice Driver Champion Anastasia Armstrong Motorkhana Class A Champion David Elliott Motorkhana Class B Champion Peter Bergman Motorkhana Class C Champion Peter Marsh Motorkhana Class D Champion Peter Carrick Motorkhana Class F Champion Scott Bennett
SxS Turbo Champion Mathew Birnie (Driver) Rochelle Funneman (Navigator) Production 4WD Champion Graeme Bentink (Driver) Dylan James (Navigator) Sportslite Champion Peter Barrett (Driver) Craig Carson (Navigator) Extreme 4WD Champion Peer Horn (Driver) Jim Ingham (Navigator) SXS Sport Champion Jason Galea (Driver) Kiera Piercy (Navigator)
WA Motor Race Championships Formula 1000 Champion Stuart Kostera Jnr Formula Ford Champion Thomas Hamlett Formula Ford Silver Star Champion James Ridgewell Formula Classic Champion Simon Alderson Formula Vee 1200cc Champion Franz Esterbauer Formula Vee 1600cc Champion Rod Lisson HQ Holdens Champion Marc Watkins Improved Production Under 1600cc Champion Tim Riley Improved Production Under 2000cc Champion Grant Gellan Improved Production Under 3000cc Champion Garry Edwards
Historic Touring Cars NA-NB over 3001cc Champion Simon Northey Historic Touring Car NC under 3000cc Champion Ken Waller Historic Touring Cars NC Over 3001cc Champion John Bondi Saloon Cars EA/VN Champion Nicholas Hanlon Saloon Cars AU/VT Champion Grant Johnson Street Cars Champion Denver Parker Street Cars under 2060cc Champion Philip Crouse Sports Car Champion Richard Bloomfield Sports Sedans Champion Grant Hill WA Excel Cup Champion Robert Landsmeer
WA Rally Championship Outright and R5 Champion John O'Dowd (Driver) Toni Feaver (Co-Driver)
Improved Production Over 3000cc Champion Nikola Mitic
2WD Championship and G2 Driver Champion Razvan Vlad (Driver) Ioana Vlad (Co-Driver)
Historic Regularity Touring Car Over 3001cc Champion Garry Utterson
Rookie of the Year and P6/P6P Champion Kelly Thomas (Driver) Dave Thomas (Co-Driver)
Outright Darren Agrela (Driver) Ryan Barton (Navigator)
Historic Regularity Touring Car Under 3000cc Champion Jamie Scott
Clubman Cup Outright Stephen Vass (Driver) Ashley Burton (Co-Driver)
Pro Buggy Champion Darren Agrela (Driver) Ryan Barton (Navigator)
Historic Regularity Race Car (MOPQR) Champion David Dearden
Clubman Cup Rookie of the Year Braiden van Keule (Driver) Jayde Thompson (Co-Driver)
Pro Lite Buggy Champion Mal Yeardley (Driver) Alex Cowan (Navigator)
Historic Regularity Sports Car (M) Champion Gary Cutler
Clubman Masters Series - Outright Lance Stringer (Driver) Chris Parish (Co-Driver)
State Speed Series Champion Marcel Every
WA Off Road Championship
Super 1650 Champion Michael Davis (Driver) Andrew Kingscott (Navigator) Extreme 2WD Champion Phil Shepley (Driver) Stewart Shepley (Navigator) Performance 2WD Champion Mathew Beck (Driver) Todd Klompmaker (Navigator)
Historic Racing Car Champion Michael Henderson Historic Regularity Overall Champion Garry Utterson
TOP LEFT: WA's Burson Future Star recipient Cameron Atkins
Modern Regularity Champion Craig James
TOP: SXS Sport Champions Jason Galea and Kiera Piercy
Historic Touring Cars NA-NB under 3000cc Champion Lance Stannard
ABOVE: David Smith, WA's Official of the Year Photos: BeardySnaps
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 29
Photo: Flash Studio
30 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Photo: Flash Studio
PAUL OVER THE MOON WITH TOP GONG When you’ve been a wellrespected official in motorsport for more than 40 years , it should come as no surprise when you are named as the Motorsport Australia Official of the Year. However, for the modest hard-working Paul Overell, the latest recipient of the prestigious accolade, he was caught off guard when he received the news he had won the award. “I didn’t believe it at first. It took me a day to read the message again and again until I realised it is really happening,” Overell said during the National Awards Gala Dinner in Melbourne. “It's humbling. I’m grateful Motorsport Australia takes the opportunity to thank officials and at a function as prestigious as this. It’s great. “I was made a life member two years ago and I thought that was the end of the road, but to get this is the icing on the cake.” Put simply, Overell’s resume is very impressive.
A well-respected figure amongst his peers, he has provided leadership across a range of high-profile roles in Australia and overseas, including as a Flag and Sector Marshal to a Clerk of the Course and Steward.
“I didn’t believe it at first. I read the message again and again until I realised it is really happening” He has been a Race Director in national racing series', attended club level events and volunteered for international speed events, making Overell a highly skilled official.
Away from the racetrack, Paul displayed commitment to Motorsport Australia in many capacities through his work in different councils. He has been Chairman of the Queensland Motor Race and Speed Event Advisory Panel, been an active member of the Australian Officials Commission and for 14 years, Overell was the Queensland State Council Chairman. “When you start off, you get excited by the action,” Overell added. “After a while, it’s the people and the fact that you can help at an event and make it one that everyone enjoyed, which becomes important. “I would like to thank my parents, Ian Mayberry, Lawrie Schmitt and mainly my wife who has supported me for so many years and put up with so much from me. I have my missed birthdays and anniversary, and no one has complained, which is nice.”
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 31
TOUGH HILL TO CLIMB IN RAINY GIPPSLAND
Photos: Jamar Imaging
More than 70 drivers braved the cold and torrential rain to take part in the second round of the 2020 Motorsport Australia Victorian Hill Climb Championship at Bryant Park. Hosted by the Gippsland Car Club, competitors were restricted with the amount of runs they got on the popular hill climb course, with some only getting just one go. For the top three though, it was all they needed as Bruce Minahan was the only driver to break the 50 second barrier with an event winning time of 49.39 seconds on his first go. Despite jumping on track once more later in the day, Minahan’s time remained comfortably unbeaten.
Rounding out the top five a further four seconds behind was Wim Janssen, with the Radical driver one of few to have more than five runs on the hill climb.
In second place, almost two seconds behind Minahan was Derek Foster, while round one winner Mike Barker secured a podium finish with a time just six tenths of a second faster than the fourth placed Peter Minahan.
While some decided to do as many runs as they could, most drivers, including the top 10 posted their best times on their first run and were unable to replicate it due to the condition of the course.
32 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
The next round of the Motorsport Australia Victorian Hill Climb Championship takes place at Mt Leura on 28-29 March.
Click here to view the full results.
CHANGES TO ALCOHOL AND ILLICIT DRUG POLICIES Motorsport Australia wishes to remind members that breaches of the alcohol and illicit drug policy will now be published on the Motorsport Australia website.
would serve as a further deterrent and encourage all those involved in motorsport to understand the importance of adhering to the policy.
continue to test for alcohol in 2020, while ASADA and other accredited contractors will test for performance enhancing drugs and illicit substances.
Previously, Motorsport Australia held a discretion on whether to name those who had breached the Alcohol or Illicit Drug Policy for the first time.
“Motorsport Australia has a commitment to all motorsport participants to provide a safe and fair playing field with the highest levels of integrity,” Arocca said.
With the change coming into effect of 1 March 2020, it means this discretion will no longer apply and the names of anyone breaching either policy must now be published. Previously, only second or subsequent offences were published.
“Given the number of overwhelming tests performed each year, the number of infractions is low, but that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels and not provide further deterrence to those who think they can get away with doing the wrong thing.”
The policies apply to all competitors (including co-driver and navigators), officials, team members (including crew), Motorsport Australia contractors or third party contractors attending an event, as well as anyone who agrees to be bound by the Policy (for example, any Motorsport Australia accreditation holders).
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said the publication of names
Motorsport Australia CATOs (Certified and Accredited Testing Officials) will
Click here for the full story.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 33
MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA ESTORE NOW OPEN Click here to see the new estore.
Motorsport Australia members looking to purchase new motorsport apparel and merchandise can do so with the brand-new estore officially open for business. With Motorsport Australia recently signing a new merchandise and apparel partner in S-Trend Sportswear, the new estore features a new line of Motorsport Australia branded casual and officials merchandise. Motorsport Australia’s partnership with Revolution Racegear continues in the estore with race wear and equipment such as fireproof race suits, helmets and boots also available.
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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
The popular speed shirt makes a return to the new estore, accompanied with a range of casual t-shirts highlighting different disciplines of motorsport. The website also features a special portal for Motorsport Australia officials, where officials who require uniform can order their apparel for events they plan to attend. All Motorsport Australia branded merchandise will see 15% of the sales go towards Bushfire Relief Fundraisers, with a special Bushfire Appeal Apparel range also on offer to purchase.
H I G H
P E R F O R M A N C E
C U S T O M
A P P A R E L
Sw i s s te s te d te c h n i c a l u n i fo r m s a n d m e rc h a n d i se e n g i n e e re d fo r b re a t h a b i l i t y, d u ra b i l i t y a n d c o m fo r t .
S p ecialist s in uniforms for corporates, car clubs, racing teams and e-sp o rts. We supply a wide rang e of certified apparel including: -
Polos Light w e ight/all weather jackets Pa n ts/sho rts Ho o dies/m id layer top s Merchandise and accessories
s-trend.co m.au / 03 9077 26 38 S.Tre nd . Sp o rtswea r
s tren d_sp or t sw e ar
FUN DAY OUT ON THE COAST The Central Coast Car Club has held a successful Come and Try day during February with more than 18 juniors and women part of the motorkhana. Taking place in Gladstone, the participants got to put their skills to the test as they drove their road cars around a variety of different layouts under the guidance of club members. For the juniors, it was a matter of getting a taste of what it’s like behind the wheel, whereas for the women, it was an opportunity to build confidence in the car with the potential chance to progress into motorsport. One of the female participants in Annie, who along with her two teenage children, took part in her first ever motorsport event after a friend had recommended it as a way to teach car control to her and her kids. Another notable participant was Ricciardo’s Racers graduate Stevie, who entered the event after enjoying herself at Ricciardo's Racers last year. The participants were also treated to a special showing from the club’s 2019 dirt and bitumen khanacross series winner Kobi Martin. Martin, who also picked up a runners-up in the club's motorkhana series last year, showed the participants how the grassroots discipline was meant to be done.
Click here for more information on the Central Coast Car Club.
36 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 37
FHR FLOWS INTO 2020
Fro Spe ntal He ed E ad R ven e The ts F strain use as m ts low o eeti f Fronta ng c Cha in erta l Head STA in c rt RT riter Restrain ia. ts
Is th e Cate vehic le as in gory V classif e or p it is a si hicle? ied as a 1 st urpo n se-b gle sea ter uilt ra veh icle? cing
As of 1 January 2020, the mandatory use of a Frontal Head Restraint (FHR) came into effect for Speed events. With the mandatory use only applied to certain vehicles, depending on their Motorsport Australia classification, the following chart can help members determine whether they are required to use a FHR safety device.
The
(F follo HR) ha win g ch s beco art w me m ill aid anda to in d eter ry in S P min ing EED E ve whic h ve nts for Yes hicle v s wil ehicles l req th uire at are Is it d a Su the perk use etermin art? of F HR: ed Yes
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For the regulations please refer to Motorsport Australia Manual; Schedule D - Apparel ONLINE.
FHR Man is NOT dato ry
Yes
No No
Yes FHR
Click here to view and download the FHR in Speed Events Flow Chart
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38 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
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Health insurance that’s got your back And knees, hips, teeth, eyes, and‌ 8% discount on health cover1 for Motorsport Australia members. Call Australian Unity today Call 1800 224 244 Visit australianunity.com.au/motorsportaustralia 1 8% discount includes all retail discounts and is available only when paying by direct debit. The discount is not available through brokers or comparators, and excludes Overseas Visitor Cover. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or discounts.
CANBERRA COOL FOR ARC
Photo: Wishart Media
After an extended off season due to the cancellation of Rally Australia, the 2020 Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) is finally here, with the Netier National Capital Rally to get the year underway. Following on from the pre-season test at Bagshot in early February, where crews got their first taste of the new Hoosier tyres and dust off the cobwebs, the long wait is over as the Canberra based rally runs on 21-22 March. Ahead of the 2020 season, Speed Read previews the Netier National Capital Rally.
THE EVENT: Hosted by the Brindabella Motorsport Car Club, the event will once again run as a single-day sprint event with special stages to start a day earlier as a way to involve the local community. Crews will tackle two runs of a spectator friendly Super Special Stage on Saturday, before competing around 130 competitive kilometres over 10 stages on the Sunday. Taking place around the Kowen and Tidbinbilla forests, spectators will be able to enjoy the picturesque event for free, as well as getting up close and personal with drivers and teams at the Woden Service Park.
40 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
LAST TIME THEY MET: Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia’s Harry Bates and John McCarthy continued their winning start to the 2019 season with an emphatic victory in Canberra after securing seven of the eight stage wins. Their biggest challenge came from Subaru do Motorsport’s Molly Taylor and Malcolm Read, who claimed a stage of their own, while Mick Patton and Bernie Webb steered their Mitsubishi Evo X to third place.
Photo: Wishart Media
“love Kowen. It would have to be one of my favourite forests in Australia” - Stephen Mee Photo: Wishart Media
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: Harry Bates
“Really looking forward to my home event. The Netier National Capital Rally is always a favourite of mine. The Saturday Super special is a great idea because it's very accessible for spectators and it's family friendly too. The fans see the car for many kilometres, as well as close so from that point of view, the super special stage is great.”
Luke Anear
“It's the closest rally to my hometown in Sydney so it’s great for us to get
there and the stages are really fun. There is a good variety of surfaces throughout the event. You have to be a bit careful though, but I think it’s going to be a great event. The one-day format means you have to go flat out from the start and there isn't a lot of time to make up for it.”
Lewis Bates
“It’s always a pleasure to compete in front of friends and family. Sleeping in your own bed and getting up to rally the next day is always a cool feeling. I’ve never had much luck in Canberra, but I am hoping it changes this year.”
Stephen Mee
“Canberra is always tough so I would like to get to the finish line. Doesn’t matter where you come from or what event it is, it’s always tough – so we just want to get to the end. I love Kowen. It would have to be one of my favourite forests in Australia. Tidbinbilla gets a bit greasy when it’s wet but there are some excellent roads in that stage.”
For everything you need to know about the 2020 Netier National Capital Rally, click here.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 41
FIRST ROUND BECKONS FOR NEW ERA OF SHANNONS The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships returns in March with seven categories to form part of the first meeting of the seven-round season. In 2019, Sydney Motorsport Park hosted the opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and while it holds the same responsibility in 2020, a lot has changed in the 12-months inbetween. The addition of a new name, new categories and new racetracks were all part of the busy off season, as well as the news that motorsport fans can tune in live and free to
every round on the Seven Network or via the live stream on 7plus. The first round will have seven categories competing in a jampacked schedule and while there are a couple of familiar categories from previous years, there will also be some fresh ones for motorsport fans. Staples of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships, the carsales TCR Australia Series and Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia are once again prominent features on the calendar and both begin their seasons at Sydney Motorsport Park.
42 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
S5000 Australia will be making its fourth official appearance meetings at Sandown, The Bend and the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. However this time, it will be the first round of a new series - a fitting destination as it was where the openwheel car was first revealed in 2018. Rounding out the impressive list of categories are the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters and Trans Am Series, both of which had solid first rounds during the Superloop Adelaide 500 and the third tier of Supercars the V8 Touring Car National Series
There are also tickets still available for purchase, so motorsport fans don’t miss out on the action.
THE RACING
All GA tickets on Friday are free, while tickets on Saturday and Sunday are $30 each. Spectators can save money by purchasing a weekend pass for $45 each. Children under 16 are also free. For those wanting to get a little bit more out of the event, Corporate Hospitality Tickets to the Morris Finance Drivers' Club range from just $49 to all-inclusive weekend passes at $350. The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ season opener take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 27-29 March.
• Touring Car Masters: Three 20-minute races • S5000: Two qualifying races and one feature race • TCR Australia: Three 30-minute races
• Michelin Sprint Challenge: Two 20-minute races and one 30-minute race • V8 Touring Car: Two 20-minute races and one 30-minute race • LMP3: Two 50-minute races • Trans Am: Three 20-minute races
Click here to purchase tickets
Y DEAL WITH EVdEisR count, Corporate nt, Window ti , ts a Floor m s white plate Black and
MCLAUGHLIN PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Photo: Edge Photographics
44 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Reigning Virgin Australia Supercars Champion Scott McLaughlin has had an almost perfect start to his title defence, claiming the Superloop Adelaide 500 for the second consecutive year. The victory came off the back of a win in Sunday’s race, and a second place in the season opener on Saturday. It didn’t come easy for McLaughlin though after some luck went his way in the second race as Shane van Gisbergen had to give up his lead due much needed fuel stop. Just 24 hours before van Gisbergen’s heartbreak, his teammate Jamie Whincup sent out a message to the rest of the competition with a commanding win in the opening race.
RACE 1 1. Jamie Whincup 2. Scott McLaughlin 3. Shane van Gisbergen
“I had a rocket today. The car was excellent, we made the most of pole position.” - Jamie Whincup
“It’s so important to have two good results. I’m glad to get through it.” - Scott McLaughlin
CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 10 1. Scott McLaughlin (288 pts) 2. Jamie Whincup (261) 3. Chaz Mostert (234) 4. Cameron Waters (231) 5. Will Davison (231) 6. David Reynolds (210) 7. Lee Holdsworth (171) 8. Mark Winterbottom (162) 9. Fabian Coulthard (162) 10. Rick Kelly (150)
RACE 2 1. Scott McLaughlin 2. Chaz Mostert 3. Cameron Waters
Photo: Edge Photographics
NEXT STOP Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 12 – 15 March Albert Park Street Circuit
Click here for tickets to the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 45
FUTURE STARS TO RALLY IN 2020 The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile has introduced a new global initiative targeted at building the next generation of rally drivers. The FIA Rally Star’s overarching goal will be to detect, train and develop talented young drivers aged between 17 and 25 so they can eventually join, and be competitive, in the World Rally Championship. Funded by the FIA Innovation fund, the program aims to encourage the emergence of a new generation of drivers through two grassroots disciplines in Digital Motorsport and Motorkhanas, across two phases. The first phase of the program will have all ASNs, including Motorsport Australia, given the responsibility of identifying the talent before the six continental finals, with Australia to run under the Asia-Pacific banner. During each final, the candidates of each ASN will compete against the clock in XC Cross Cars, with each final to determine one of the seven seats in the program. Once selected, the successful seven drivers will begin an intense program of training with personal coaching, testing sessions and participation
46
in a minimum of six rallies behind the wheel of a Rally3 car. From there, the four most promising drivers, including at least one female, will then join the FIA Junior WRC, where they will have two seasons to prove themselves in a bid to make it to the top level. FIA President Jean Todt was excited for the new initiative, which begins during June's FIA Sport Conference in Thailand. “When we talk about the detection of rally drivers, we obviously think of Rallye Jeunes, which enabled the FFSA to identify the potential of Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier with the success that we know,’ Todt said.
“We are embarking on an extremely ambitious and innovative programme” - Jean Todt, FIA President
“Thanks to the support of the FIA's Innovation Fund, we are embarking on an extremely ambitious and innovative programme, made available to our 144 ASNs for worldwide deployment and amplification. “FIA Rally Star is a great opportunity for those who dream of becoming rally drivers.” The program begins in mid-June with Motorsport Australia delivering their part of the iniative soon after.
MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Photo: @World / Red Bull Content Pool
BRABHAM SCREENING GETS EXTRA SPECIAL Motorsport fans awaiting the highly anticipated documentary feature film Brabham will be able to get an exclusive viewing during a special screening in March. Telling the story of Sir Jack Brabham and his son’s journey in the competitive world of Formula 1, the documentary features a number of high-profile motorsport figures discussing the legacy of the Brabhams. The product of a large collaborative effort between Producer Antony Waddington, Motorsport Australia, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and many other organisations – the screening takes place at the start of a busy Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix festival week.
The film’s producers have also announced the screening's proceeds will be donated to the 'Victorian Bushfire Disaster Appeal’ as a way to contribute to the ongoing countrywide efforts of financial support to affected areas. The special screening of Brabham will which will take place the Jam Factory in South Yarra on Monday 9 March.
Click here to purchase tickets.
A BUGGY TREAT FOR DURHAM ROAD KIDS The Western Australian Off Road Racing Association (WAORRA) held its annual Kids Charity Ride during February with a number of children from Durham Road School getting to experience grassroots motorsport first hand. Taking place at Noble Falls facility, the excited children were greeted with a line of off road cars and were giving the opportunity to go for a ride-along. From a Hummer and a Kingswood to the standard pro-buggy, the participating children were all smiles as they were treated
48 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
to laps in the vehicles and getting a firsthand experience of off road thrills. Since its inauguration more than a decade ago, the WAORRA Kids Charity Ride Day has provided West Australian children with plenty of laughter and joy as they experience the exhilarating action in off road racing. This year’s event also saw the founder of the initiative, Blake Pugh step down as leader and pass the baton to Chris Hill.
Photos: Kilaphotos
CONTACT US The Motorsport Australia member hotline will be open until 7.00pm AEST (5.00pm WST and 6.30pm CST) So for all your motorsport needs call the Motorsport Australia Hotline or visit the website at motorsport.org.au Email. memberservices@motorsport.org.au
l Hit up Motorsport Australia on social media for photos from events, news, videos and other great motorsport content.
SEND US YOUR STORIES! If you have a motorsport story which you think should be told, get in touch with us and it could appear in Speed Read. If you have pictures or videos of motorsport you would like to share with us, we encourage you to do so. They could appear on our website, social media platforms or in Speed Read. Please email communications@motorsport.org.au We look forward to hearing from you!
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN SPORT COMMISSION RECOGNISES MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA TO DEVELOP MOTORSPORT IN AUSTRALIA
